Window construction for automobile bodies



Aug 25,, 1925.

J. LEDWINKA WINDOW CONSTRUCTION FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES Filed May 5, 19223 123mm JosEPil Leona/Wm I TTORNEY WITNESS Patented Aug. 25, 1925.

p UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH LEDW INKA, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNS YLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD G.

' PO'RATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH LEDWINKA, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Window. Constructions for Automobile Bodies, ofwhich I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription. My invention relates to an improved window construction forautomobile bodies.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a window constructionwhich is particularly suitable for automobile bodies, and including awindow frame and improved means for detachably retaining thewindowfglass or pane in said frame.

A further object of my invention is to 2 and means for detachablyfastening retaining pieces or moldings to said frame, so as to removablysecure said window-glass or pane in the frame. p A further object of myinvention is to provide removable \retaining pieces or finishingmoldings secured to a window frame, for removably holding the windowpane therein, without using any fastening screws or members passingthrough such retaining or finishing strips or members. A further objectof 'my invention is to provide a window construction for automobilebodies which presents a particularly pleasing and sightly appearance, issimple and inexpensive to manufacture, and in which the window can beremoved very quickl'y'and easily when desired.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies ofconstruction and 0 operation, will definitely appear from the detaileddescription to follow. I accom-- plish the objects of my in enti n, inone in' l stance, by the devices and means described in the followingspecification. My inventionis clearly defined and pointed out in theappended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment ofmyinv'ention' line 33 of Fig. 1, and

may be secured in place by which lap over the adjoining ends ofsuch.

WINDOW CONSTRUCTION FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES.

Application Med May 3, 1922. Serial No. 558,170.

is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a' part of thisspecification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of an automobile door embodying a windowconstruction,

in accordance with my invention.

Fig. I is an enlarged, detail, sectional View, taken on line 22 ofFig. 1. v

Fig. 3- is a detail, sectional view, takenon Fig. 4 is a detail,sectional the line H of Fig. 2. In the drawin s, the same referencenumerals refer to t e same parts throughout the several views and thesectional views are taken-looking in the direction of the arrows at theends of the section lines. provide a window construction forautomobilebodies including a metal window-frame.

tachably secured to the frame and engaging an edge or edges of thepanetohold it in the frame. These retaining pieces or strips corner bracketsstrips and are fastened to the frame so that no fastening screws ormembers extend through theretaining strips themselves. The

P adjoining ends of the retaining strips may view, taken on be spacedfrom each other so that they will' not interfere witheach other whenanyone of these strips is to be removed and the bolt or screw forfasteningthe corner bracket in place may pass between the adjoining endsof such retaining strips. In order to prevent lateral movement, of theretaining strip or member, I may provide a channel in the window frame,adjacent the window run,

and provide a projecting flange or tongue on the retaining strip ormember which seats in this channel. My invention is particularlyapplicable to a metallic window frame construction and the retainingstrip or member may be formed of a piece of metal bent to form afinishing molding of sightly appearance and having flanges projectingfrom its base, constituting a tongue portion, which may be seated in achannel formed in the shown an automobile door for a closed body,

opening,

comprising the door panel, 10, having a window opening in its upperportion, the door panel being provided with the inturned flange, 11, atthe bottom of said window to which may be secured an angle strip, 12,forming a sill or finishing member at the lower edge of the windowopening. At the sides of the window opening, the panel, 10, is providedwith the inturned flanges, 14, as shown in Fig. 2. The door frame isformed by Z-shaped members, 15, each having a lateral flange, 16, overwhich the panel,- 1-0, is flanged, at 17 and a laterally-extendingflange, 18, at the inner side of the door. The window frame is formed bymetallic members which are rigidly secured to the flanges, 14 and '18,as shown in Fig. 2. These members are each providedwith a portion, 19,applied to and rigidly secured to the flange, 14, an offset portion, 20,forming, with the retaining member hereinafter described, a channel orrun for the window-glass, and a further ofiset portion 21, forming achannel, 23, for the retaining member or strip. The side wall, 22., ofthe channel, 23, is rigidly secured by welding or otherwise to theflange, 18, of the door frame. A retaining strip or member, 24, isrovided, which is formed of a piece of metal bent'or pressed to shape toform a finishing molding and provided with a pair of spaced flanges, 25,extending laterally from its base. These flanges ,constitute a tongueprojecting from the base of the retaining member or molding, 24, andplositioned in the channel, 23, of the window ame. A layer of felt, 26,may be positioned between one of the flanges, 25, and the side wall, 22,of the channel, 23. l/Vhen this retainin member is positioned in place,

it defines a c annel or run for the windowglass 27, which may have thefelt, 28, secure to its edges to prevent contact of the glass with themetal. At the lower edge of the window opening, the flanges, 25, and thechannel, 24, may be omitted and the retaining member, 24, may restdirectly on the wooden cross member, 29, which is usually provided atthis place in the door, for convenience in tacking the upholsterythereto.

It is to be noted that it is necessary to remove these retaining stripsor members, 24, before inserting or removing the window pane or glass,27. I have, therefore, provided means for retaining these strips inposition of such a nature that there are no astening members extendingthrough the nastier strips to mar their appearance. I provide the cornerbrackets, 30, which have'portions extending substantially at right anles to each other and overlapping the adjacent ends of the retainingmembers, 24. These adjacent ends of the retaining members are spacedsomewhat from each other, see Fig. 4, so that they do not interfere witheach other when they are being removed. The brackets, 30, are arched andhave an inner flange, 31, which engages the inner wall of the retainingmember, 24, and an outer flange, 32, which engages the outer "edgeportion of the member, 24, and are generally curved in cross section toconform to the curve of theretaining strips or moldings, 24. Thebrackets are retained in place by the bolts, 33, extending between theadjoining ends of the strips, 24, and threaded into the brackets, 34,fastened to the window frame.

It will be observed that the window, 27 may be removed by removing thefour bolts, 33, at the corners of the window opening. Whenthese boltsare removed, the brackets may be removed and the retaining strips ormembers, 24, removed from engagement with the channels, 23, of thewindow frame. This provides a very'oonvenient and, easy way of removingthese retaining strips and consequently, the window pane, 27. Nofastening bolts or screws pass through the retaining strips, 24, andthese may be highly polished so as toadd to the ornamentation or finishof the automobile body and a window construction in accordance with myinvention presents a very good appearance, due to this fact.

I am aware that the particular window construction disclosed in thisspecification .may be varied considerably without departing from thespirit of my invention, and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly, asindicated by the appended claims.

Having thus'described my invention, what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination of a window frame,

a window fitting therein, a plurality of retaining strips of archedshaped engaging the edges of said window to hold it in place, bracketsat the corners of said window frame, each provided with arched end portions extending at right angles to each other and embracing in the archthe adjacent ends of the retaining strips,'and bolts for fastening saidbrackets to the frame passing between the adjoining ends of said strip.

2. The combination of a window frame having grooves adjacent the top andsides of the window opening and an ungrooved ledge along the bottom ofsaid opening, a window fitting in said frame, retaining strips of onesection engaging the edges of said window to hold it in place andprovided with portions fitting in said grooves, a retaining strip ofdifierent section resting on said ledge' and engaging the edge of thewindow, the ends 0 adjacent strips being spaced from each other at thecorners of the window frame, brackets at the corners of said Windowframe, each provided with channel shaped end portions extending at rightangles to each other and engaging the faces and edges adjoining ends ofthe retaining strips, and bolts for fastening said brackets 1 to theframe passing between the adjacent ends of said strips.

In testimonywhereof I affix my signature.

' JOSEPH LEDWINKA.

